The solution to deal with migration proposed by the new mayor of the northern Italian city of Como, Alessandro Rapinese, announced after a woman was allegedly raped by an undocumented migrant in his city, has shaken politicians across the political spectrum.

"Irregular migrants? There are large areas of Barbagia that could host them while they wait to be repatriated," the mayor is reported to have said.

Rapinese, a representative of a center-right civic list, made the statements to local daily La Provincia di Como, on Tuesday, August 9. The remarks sparked a protest on social media, which hasn't only involved Sardinians.

Rapinese later apologized saying he was sorry "Sardinians were offended" and that he had nothing against Barbagia but only meant undocumented migrants "should be sent to an uninhabited area because they cause disasters in densely inhabited areas."

Immigration "must be controlled and managed" and Parliament needs "to recognize this," he added.

'Free circulation of undocumented migrants shouldn't be allowed'

Elected after a surprise victory in June with a conservative civil list, the 46-year-old real estate agent is convinced that "the free circulation" of migrants "without valid documents shouldn't be allowed." His remarks were reportedly made in connection to the allegations of rape that took place in his town recently.

Also read: Violent incidents spark political debate in Italy

The suspected perpetrator is reportedly a Pakistani migrant and the victim a Bulgarian migrant. Rapinese then suggested that the vast mountainous region of central Sardinia, commonly used in Italian to refer to a forgotten, uninhabited place, could host migrants before they are repatriated.

Politicians across political spectrum slam comment

Ugo Cappellacci, a former governor of Sardinia who is today a lawmaker and regional coordinator for the conservative Forza Italia (FI) party, said "the mayor of Como should know that the desert is in his head, not in Barbagia."

Democratic Left (PD) lawmaker Pier Luigi Bersani used the same tone, branding the comment part of an "inflation of stupid remarks."

"The electoral climate - added the president of the Lower House's labor commission Romina Mura, also a member of the Democratic Left party - is obfuscating the clarity of mind of a few people who are looking for notoriety. The mayor of Como should know that in Barbagia, when asked to do it, we have welcomed migrants in the best ways."

Sardinian lawmaker Salvatore Diedda, a member of the right-wing party Brothers of Italy (FdI) called on Rapinese to "buy advertising space in his city and on local newspapers to publicize the next edition of 'Autunno in Barbagia', or fall in Barbagia, an event that promotes the area, which takes place from September 3 through December 18 this year.

"We will be waiting for him, so we can show him in person how unfortunate his comment was. [What he said would appear to just prove "his incompetence and insufferable political apathy", added Deidda, together with the mayor of Belvì and provincial president of FdI in Nuoro, Maurizio Cadau.

Rapinese appears undeterred

"Next time, I will suggest moving them to a 3,000-meter-high mountain peak," replied Rapinese, seemingly undeterred. "Or in Capalbio, an area where they will be welcomed with all honors," added the mayor, referring to the Tuscan town known as the holiday destination of choice of left-leaning intellectuals and politicians.

"Here, the facts are known, media outlets often unfortunately report cases of extreme violence - we still remember what happened to Father Roberto Malgesini," continued the mayor, referring to a priest who was killed in 2020 by an immigrant he was helping in Como.

"My city can't stand it any longer, we spend €4.5 million [to] host unaccompanied minors - Rome should get it," continued Rapinese, addressing the national government.

Everyone is "good when they are talking about hosting" but the municipality of Como "will have to find more money to deal with a phenomenon that is ignored by Rome,, the mayor added.

Concern about impact on Como-Cagliari football match

Meanwhile the comments have sparked concern ahead of a second league (Serie B) football match between Como and Sardinian team Cagliari scheduled on Saturday, August 13, over fears that the remarks could lead to tension between fans.

A few Sardinians who reside in the Lombardy city have said they would rather watch the game from the part of the stadium reserved for guests, to show their solidarity to the residents of Barbagia who may be offended by the remarks.